Local insurance agent recommends applying for FEMA assistance

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — Northeast Tennesseans who lost homes or suffered damage in the wake of Hurricane Helene are beginning to pick up the pieces to rebuild, and the first step in that process often involves navigating the bureaucracies of insurance coverage and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Poga resident and agent/owner at Elizabethton's Horace Mann branch, Ricky Walters, took it upon himself to do just that, opening up his office for clients and members of the general public seeking disaster relief funds.

"We were lucky enough to have power and water and internet restored here and phone systems restored pretty quickly, and there's a lot of people who don't have power, who don't have access to phones and that sort of thing," Walters told News Channel 11. "So we opened our office up to assist people with filing the FEMA claims."

Walters said he got clearance and guidance from FEMA. Since Monday, his office has filed between 50 and 100 claims for clients and about 15 for members of the general public.

What is needed to apply?

Walters said applicants should come prepared with their social security card, proof of address, and direct deposit information.

"You also have to contact your insurance company and file a claim with them, which they're going to deny because there was a flood and homeowner insurance policies don't cover floods," Walters said.

He said most residents will have to jump through the hoops of proving they do not have flood insurance before they can get money from FEMA, but even those with insurance face difficult situations.

David Buck's family home on Cat Island in Elizabethton suffered water damage in the flood. Thanks to volunteers from Texans on Mission, much of the mud and debris has been cleared; however, despite having flood insurance, Buck is still in limbo.

"They're [insurance staff] supposed to come Saturday, but I have a high deductible," Buck told News Channel 11. "So I don't know how much they'll help me."

Buck said he plans to go to FEMA once he finds out what help his insurance can provide.

Walters added even those who had food go bad while they waited for power to be restored or suffered other types of damage may be eligible for FEMA or insurance money money.

"Filing a claim with FEMA, you know, especially to get the emergency relief, the $750, nothing that you do with FEMA, is going to affect your insurance rates at all," Walters said. "It wouldn't hurt to see if there's anything available to you for doing that."

After the application

Roan Mountain resident Allen Pickel told News Channel 11 that his home is undamaged, but a bridge in his driveway washed out in the storm. With help from Walters' office, he applied for FEMA.

Whether applying for insurance or FEMA money, waiting for an in-person damage assessment is a necessary, if frustrating, part of the process.

"I wish they'd get back to us," Pickel said. "What they told us at the Carter County emergency management was that they would get in touch with you and come out and evaluate the situation. And they haven't done that yet."

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Dec. 2.

For more information on FEMA disaster assistance, visit disasterassistance.gov.

As of Thursday, FEMA has exceeded $344 million in federal disaster assistance to over 375,000 families.